Lace Making Holidays

Join us for a lace making holiday with professional tutor Jean Leader. You will have the opportunity to learn Torchon, Bucks Point or Bedfordshire lace from beginner to advanced level. Jean will also cover the basics of other laces including Honiton, Bruges, and Milanese lace, together with needlelace and tatting.

Jean is also an expert in lace identification and the history of lace, for those interested in a deeper understanding of the topic.

What’s included?Courses are based at Gartmore House; all rooms are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities and many have wonderful views over Flanders Moss Nature Reserve, towards Stirling. Your course includes full board; all meals are freshly prepared by our chefs. Enjoy a glass of wine as you relax in the dining room looking out over the views and discussing your day’s work. Bar facilities are available during dinner. 5-Night (or more) courses include an optional visit to Loch Katrine (with one hour cruise) or The Scottish Wool Centre in Aberfoyle (transport is provided).

Complimentary transfers from Stirling train station are available on the arrival and departure days (pick-up from the station at 15:30, departs Gartmore House at 10:00).

Above is based on single occupancy of an en-suite room (full board basis), should you wish to bring a companion who is not taking part in the course, then they will receive a reduction in the above price; please contact us for details.

Payment, Terms & ConditionsA £100 per person deposit is required to secure your booking. Full payment is due 6 weeks prior to arrival. For craft & activity breaks booked within 6 weeks of course start date, full payment is required at the time of booking. Craft & activity breaks are subject to availability and subject to change.

Sunday16:00 Arrive late afternoon to afternoon tea in the lounge 18:00 Welcome talk in the lounge and meet your tutor 18:30 Dinner21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge

Monday & Tuesday08:30 Breakfast10:00 Course begins (course will run until 16:00)11:00 Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits13:00 Lunch15:30 Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits16:00 Course ends for the day, however you are free to continue your work in the studio if you wish18:30 Dinner21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge

Wednesday08:30 Breakfast10:00 Course begins (course will run until 12:30)11:00 Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits12:30 LunchAfter lunch there is an optional visit to either Loch Katrine (includes a 1 hr sailing on the loch) or the Scottish Wool Centre in Aberfoyle. Alternatively you can opt to stay at the House and continue your work in the studio (untutored)18:30 Dinner21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge

Thursday08:30 Breakfast10:00 Course begins (course will run until 16:00)11:00 Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits13:00 Lunch15:30 Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits16:00 Course ends for the day, however you are free to continue your work in the studio if you wish19:00 Celebratory dinner with entertainment21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge

Friday08:30 Breakfast then check-out10:00 Latest check-out

Your tutor will contact you before the course to advise you what you need to bring.

A bobbin lace starter kit will be provided for beginners, which can be purchased at the end of the course, should you wish to continue with lace making. The typical bobbin lace starter kit is available from your tutor for around £15. It includes 20 bobbins, pillow and cover cloth, pricker and pricking card, thread, pins, and some instructions (the bobbins are second-hand so the price can vary a bit).

Tatting – if you would like to try tatting then your tutor can supply shuttle, thread and instructions – all you would need to bring are scissors. Needle lace – if you would like to try needle lace then your tutor can also supply everything that you would need – pattern, fabric backing, plastic film, needles and thread. Again you would need to bring scissors.

Anyone who wanted to try either tatting or needle lace would need to let us beforehand so that your tutor can have the kits prepared. The price would be around £5 per kit (payable direct to your tutor).

Tutor Jean Leader

Your tutor is Jean Leader, who is based in Glasgow, Scotland. Lace has been an integral part of Jean’s life for over thirty years. Jean has always been interested in textiles — knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and, later, weaving and spinning — and one day stumbled upon a book about bobbin lacemaking, so decided to try that too!

Jean not only makes lace, she also designs, teaches and writes books (and has even created an iPhone app) on the subject. She has also served on the committees of national and international lace organizations — as chairman of The Lace Guild and Jean is currently President of the International Organization of Lace (I.O.L.I.). In recognition of her work for lace and lacemaking Jean received the 2015 Marsh Heritage Crafts Volunteer Award.

‘Exceptional value for money. You made us feel welcome from booking to departure. Nothing ever appeared too much trouble and that level of service is something to be exceptionally proud of. We will return next year to enjoy the house and crafting courses. With heartfelt thanks.’

‘With regard to the accommodation, this was more than comfortable, the food delicious and plentiful and all the staff warm, friendly and helpful.’

Our team is here to help with any queries that you may have about the course. You may also like to take a look at our FAQs blog post to see if we answer any of your queries there. Don’t forget that our team are happy to assist with any questions – please feel free to get in touch.

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